Not everyone can afford a ticket or got around to buying a ticket for the firework displays this year. London’s always hotly anticipated New Years fireworks displays sell as fast as fireworks go off leaving many in the lurch with no plans for the annual date shift. Never fear, if you’re visiting London and staying in hotels such as the Park Grand Paddington Hotel, then there are alternatives, you’ll just have to think outside the box or the park barriers that is!
The Bridges
One of your best bets to see the fireworks is from one of the many bridges of London. Sprawling all along the Thames, you’ll be able to find a range of locations from where you can see the fireworks coming from the Royal Parks. Make sure you wrap up warm, the bridges, due to their lack of wind shelter, can get very cold indeed!
Lambeth
This red painted bridge is located near Vauxhall Bridge and has a great view over the houses Parliament. You’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the fireworks from afar. This bridge will be less crowded due to the distance from the displays, but you’ll be near landmarks such as St Thomas Hospital and the Mill bank Tower as well as the Tate Britain.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge will lead you right to the Tower of London and is an iconic monument from which to see the fireworks. Although a little further away you’re still close to the centre of London where you can let the festivities continue!
Southwark Bridge
Glittering in the heart of the city, you’ll be able to see the fireworks in all their glory from this spot. Get there early as the Southwark Bridge, built in 1921 is near to the Tate Modern and the Globe Theatre, leading you into the Borough Market where you’ll find plenty of bars and nightlife locations to help ease you into 2018.
Bank
Seeing as its located just outside of the ticketed area, this location is a great place to see the fireworks from. Right in the centre of the city, you’ll be able to join thousands in the festivities where you can expect a real vibrant hubbub of life.
St Pauls Cathedral
With this incredible monument right behind you, you can expect to have a landmark night on New Year’s. Head to St Pauls, right outside of the ticketed area for a truly remarkable New Years’ experience.
Parliament Hill
Already famous for its great views of the city, you’ll be able to see the whole fireworks event from this 98-metre hill in the south-east corner of Hampstead Heath. With a skyline including Canary Wharf, the Gherkin and St Pauls Cathedral, you’ll be able to see some of the best views of the fireworks in a beautiful natural landscape.
Primrose Hill
Located in Regents Park, Primrose Hill is popular in the summer and just so during the winter, where you can see the full fireworks displays from just round the corner of the hip and happening Camden.
